The recalled sliced herring fillet—also called Forelka—is packaged in 330-gram and 600-gram plastic containers that bear a code date of “best before 03/06/2012.” The recalled Forelka was sold in the New York metropolitan area and is a product of Ukraine.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel that revealed the Forelka tested positive for the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall; however, as we’ve routinely explained, the Listeria pathogen is unique because it tends to thrive in colder temperatures, such as those found in refrigerated environments and it also has an unusually long incubation period of up to 70 days, according to experts.

Consumers who purchased the recalled sliced herring fillet/Forelka are advised to not consume the potentially contaminated fish and to return it to the place of purchase. Zip International Group can be reached at 1.732.225.3600.

Listeriosis, the disease caused by the Listeria pathogen, is potentially fatal and can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in those with weakened immune systems, infants, and the elderly.

Listeriosis can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and can lead to neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.

Vulnerable populations, such as the developing fetus, can suffer serious central nervous system problems, and the infection can prompt premature births, or the death of the fetus via miscarriages and stillbirths. Pregnant women are 20 times likelier to become infected with listeriosis than other populations.